eQuality Scholarships - Applications Now Available!

Jan. 11, 2010

eQuality Scholarships - Apply Now!

"I just started my first day of college today, and I have my first Diversity (GSA) meeting on Friday. College is really expensive, and I was thinking how hard this would have been if I hadn't received the scholarship. I just want to thank everybody again for making this happen for me. I am so grateful for what you have given me. I wouldn't be where I am emotionally and educationally without you and everybody else." -- 2009 eQuality Scholar

The eQuality Scholarship Collaborative awards scholarships to honor and encourage northern and central California students for their service to the lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender community.

Scholarships may be used for post-secondary education at approved institutions - colleges, universities, and trade schools. Some of the scholarships are specifically for nursing or medical school.

How many?

In 2009, 12 $5000 scholarships were awarded to graduating high school seniors, four $5000 scholarships were awarded to nursing students, and one $2000 scholarship was awarded to a medical student. A similar number of scholarships are expected to be awarded in 2010.

Who is eligible?

In general, eligible students fall into one of these categories:

Resident of northern or central California who completed or expects to complete high school or equivalent between 1 Jul 2005 and 30 Jun 2010;

Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited ADN or BSN RN program in California; or

Attending an accredited medical school in California or be a California resident attending an accredited medical school elsewhere in the United States.

The Collaborative is the joint effort of a group of organizations based in the San Francisco Bay Area. It began in 1989 as a scholarship program by PG&E's lesbian and gay employee association, now PG&E PrideNetwork. The following year, the Bay Area Network of Gay and Lesbian Educators (BANGLE) joined the effort. Additional members have joined the Collaborative over the years, and more are always welcome. Over the past 20 years, the Collaborative has awarded over 160 scholarships totaling more than $360,000. The current organizational members of the Collaborative are: PG&E PrideNetwork, KP Pride, Genentech Out & Equal, KPMG, Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, and GSA Network.